The Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group works to help people whose rights have been violated and investigates cases involving such abuse, as well as assessing the overall human rights situation in Ukraine. The Group also seeks to develop awareness of human rights issues through public events and its various publications

European Parliament President Martin Schulz made the following statement in reaction to the conduct and results of parliamentary elections in Ukraine:

"These elections were of critical importance for the future direction of Ukraine and for relations between Kyiv and the European Union.

Noting preliminary conclusions of international observers from OSCE/ODIHR mission, I regret that many shortcomings marred the ballot. I am concerned by the lack of a level playing field among political forces caused, among other reasons, by the abuse of administrative resources.

Campaign and party financing lacked transparency and media coverage was tilted in favour of the ruling party. Continued imprisonment of prominent opposition activists cast a shadow over the election process.

But I welcome the fact that the election day was calm and peaceful, and that voting and counting were assessed positively. I also welcome a high turnout in the elections.

The Ukrainian authorities should remedy all shortcomings. Ukrainian people deserve to live in a well-functioning democratic state.

While the elections clearly presented a challenge for Ukraine’s fragile democratic institutions, the European Union should keep its critical engagement with the country and help it embrace necessary reforms.

I very much hope that Ukraine will take steps that will allow it and the European Union to overcome a stalemate in mutual relations. Those should address the problems of rule of law and independence of judiciary.

I strongly encourage cooperation and dialogue between the government and opposition forces in solving urgent social and economy problems and especially in view of Ukraine’s European agenda.

I would like to inform that European Parliament Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, headed by Presidents Aleksander Kwasniewski and Pat Cox, will return to Kyiv on November 6-7 to continue its scrutiny of the judicial cases of imprisoned opposition leaders and their discussions with the Ukrainian authorities on the necessary legal reforms."